The ongoing brutal attacks by government security forces on thousands of peaceful protesters in Libya are utterly reprehensible and must stop, an international coalition of religious leaders says.

The secretary-general of the New York-based Religions for Peace, William F. Vendley, said in a release received by The Jakarta Post on Friday that religious leaders around the world condemned and called for a cessation of the violence in Libya.

“The people of Libya deserve to be protected should the Libyan government continue violent attacks against them.

“Mindful of the grave danger that the people in Libya face, Religions for Peace calls on the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, other regional intergovernmental bodies and all governments to undertake responsible and legal actions to help to ensure the safety and full rights of the people in Libya,” he said.

The members of Religions for Peace, he added, also condemn these heinous acts of violence against civilians in Libya.

“We are united in extending our most heartfelt sympathy and support to the affected families and communities.”

Religions for Peace is an international multi-religious coalition. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than 80 national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Youth Network.